Johannes Linßen

Linßen began his career with Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg in 1968 before dropping a division in 1974 to join Fortuna Köln, where he remained until the end of his career in 1984. He played in the 1983 final of the DFB cup, which his team lost 1–0 to local rivals 1. FC Köln. On 23 January 1971, while playing for MSV Duisburg against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, Linßen received the first ever yellow card to be awarded in the Bundesliga, although the card should in fact have been awarded to his teammate Đorđe Pavlić, the referee having confused the two players.

Following his retirement as a player, Linßen was appointed manager of Fortuna Köln in 1984. He remained in charge until a bad start to the 1986–87 season led to his departure. He had a second stint as manager of the club from April 1987 to August 1989. Linßen was assistant manager of 1. FC Köln from July 1990 until February 1993, after which he had a third spell as manager of SC Fortuna Köln. His final managerial position was with FC Gütersloh from 1996 to 1998. Linßen returned to 1. FC Köln as director of football in 1998. During his three-and-a-half years in this position, the club achieved promotion to the Bundesliga in 2000. But by 2002 the club were heading towards relegation and, amid much personal criticism, particularly for the eight-year contract given to 12-year-old Marco Quotschalla, Linßen resigned on 11 February.